Ready To Buy But, I Need Your Help On A Diamond!

[pthairx]

Hi everyone, first post. For a while now I've been kind of just reading other people's post, slowly gathering information, and getting ready to make an engagement ring purchase. I'm excited to say the time is finally here, I'm ready to buy and I need your help to purchase a diamond!

I know she'd probably be happy with any ring I purchase her, but I want to get her the best I can. We've been together for 4 amazing years and if she's still ready to put up with my sillyness and nonsense for the rest of her life, she deserves an amazing ring, haha.

My budget for a diamond is around 13k and I'm hoping to get 1.2-1.3 carat, ideal/excellent cut, E-F color, and VS1-VS2. So far I've found 1 potential diamond off JA, but would like a recommendation from everyone for 2 more diamonds before I request idealscope and aset. Honestly I am still pretty new to all this and I know there are so many knowledgable people on this forum.

Here's the JA diamond I am referring to. HCA score is 1.3.
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-206212

Thank you in advance
Peter

 

[JulieN]

If you want to hit 1.3 cts, that is a good choice.

 

[pthairx]

Thank's for the response JulieN.

Also, how do I go about getting the Pricescope discount on James Allen?

 

[JulieN]

some more from JA. Pick a total of 3, and ask for gemologist review and Ideal Scopes. Just tell them you are a Pricescope member.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-153075
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-126890
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.26-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-39187
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-47818
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-188659

 

[TC1987]

That first diamond is a 60/60 diamond. I have owned those, and others. My personal preference is for a smaller table 55-56%, a steeper crown angle 34%-35%, and more % of the diamond as crown height (say 15%), and overall depth more in the 61%-62% range. What's called the PriceScope "cheat sheet" dimensions and what Good Old Gold tends to pick (smaller tables), I like better than the 60/60. 57% is probably, i cutoff for table size, unless I am just going for size and am buying an estate piece or other heavily discounted diamond.

Large table and low crown angle tends to be more brilliant than firey and most of the fire happens around the rim, and at a tilt.

I also tend to look at the stones graded by AGS. It seems that the best-cut are sent to AGS. AGS might be a little softer on color, but that is something that the vendor can evaluate for you, if the stone is in-house and not "virtual." JA has a lot of stones listed and pictured, but they are at the cutter's places and not in-house.

 

[pthairx]

TC1987 thanks for that tip. I'll take another look at diamonds and go buy those dimensions.

I have a question on fluoresence? I noticed that some prefer it, but I've read at the same time it can be a bad thing as well?

Peter

 

[pthairx]

Hey everyone, I'm back. Finally took some time away from work to choose my 3 diamonds for review and idealscope images. I tried to do my best to take into consideration diamond proportions and HCA score. Hopefully I made the right choices. I will update you all when the idealscope images come in!

1. 1.23 ct F VS1 GIA triple Ex
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.23-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-57655
L/W/D (mm): 6.92*6.96*4.23
Table %:56.00
Depth %:61.00
Crown ∠: 34
Pavilion ∠: 40.8
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Medium

2. 1.17 ct F VS1 GIA triple Ex
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.17-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-29422
L/W/D (mm): 6.74*6.81*4.17
Table %:57.00
Depth %:61.50
Crown ∠: 34.5
Pavilion ∠: 40.8
Girdle: Thin-Slightly Thick
Fluorescence:None

3. 1.2 ct F VS1 GIA triple Ex
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-188191
L/W/D (mm): 6.89 x 6.87 x 4.23
Table %:56.00
Depth %:61.40
Crown ∠: 34.00
Pavilion ∠:41.20
Fluorescence:None
Girdle: Thin-Medium

 

[JulieN]

Prob #1, it is a good size. #2 is great but smaller than #1.

 

[pthairx]

Update! So 1 and 2 are the best of the 3 diamonds. Here is the response I received and the idealscopes. I'm somewhat confused and disappointed now. Looking at the idealscopes it seems that diamond 2 has the better performance, but based on the description of the gemoligist it seems she prefers diamond 1. What do you all think?


1. 1.23 ct F VS1 GIA triple Ex
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.23-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-57655


"(RB 1.23ct F VS1; $12,180) is a beautiful white F with a wonderful, even light performance and great brilliance and sparkle."

L/W/D (mm): 6.92*6.96*4.23
Table %:56.00
Depth %:61.00
Crown ∠: 34
Pavilion ∠: 40.8
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Medium

2. 1.17 ct F VS1 GIA triple Ex
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.17-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-29422


"(RB 1.17ct F VS1; $12,020) is a crisp white F color, again with beautiful light performance. The brilliance and fire are very good."
L/W/D (mm): 6.74*6.81*4.17
Table %:57.00
Depth %:61.50
Crown ∠: 34.5
Pavilion ∠: 40.8
Fluorescence:None
Girdle: Thin-Slightly Thick

 

[pthairx]

Looking at the idealscopes It seems that diamond 1 has less light leakage than diamond 2, but should I be concerned about the dark area between the 1 and 2 o clock arrows?

 

[pthairx]

Any thoughts? Is diamond #1 the one or can I do better?

 

[JulieN]

Something going on at the girdle between the 9 and 12 o'clock arrows for #2. #1 looks fine.

 

[pthairx]

Is the dark area between 1 and 2 o'clock something I should be concerned about in diamond 1? What's causing it?